Dear Friends,
Here is a detailed explanation to this question-
AbdurRakib wrote:
The type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror comes within the domain of “theory of mind,” thus is best studied as part of the field of animal cognition.
(A) of “theory of mind,” thus is best
(B) “theory of mind,” and so is best to be
(C) of a “theory of mind,” thus it is best
(D) of “theory of mind” and thus is best
(E) of the “theory of mind,” and so it is best to be
Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that the type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror comes within the domain “theory of mind”, so this behavior is best studied as part of the field of animal cognition.
Concepts tested here: Meaning + Verb Forms + Grammatical Construction• If a sentence contains only two elements, they must be joined by a conjunction.
• The "comma + conjunction" construction is used to join the last element in a list with more than three elements; the other elements are joined with commas.
• The infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + be" in this sentence) is the preferred construction for referring to the purpose/intent of the action.
A: This answer choice incorrectly uses the "comma + conjunction ("thus" in this sentence)" to join two elements in a list - the verb phrases "comes within the domain of “theory of mind" and "is best studied as part of the field of animal cognition"; remember, if a sentence contains only two elements, they must be joined by a conjunction, and the "comma + conjunction ("thus" in this sentence)" construction is used to join the last element in a list with more than three elements.
B: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "is best to be"; the use of the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + be" in this sentence) illogically implies that the type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror is best
for the purpose of being studied as part of the field of animal cognition; the intended meaning is that the type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror is
best studied as part of the field of animal cognition; remember, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + be" in this sentence) is the preferred construction for referring to the purpose/intent of the action. Further, Option B incorrectly uses the "comma + conjunction ("and so" in this sentence)" to join two elements in a list - the verb phrases "comes within the domain of “theory of mind" and "is best to be studied as part of the field of animal cognition"; remember, if a sentence contains only two elements, they must be joined by a conjunction, and the "comma + conjunction ("and so" in this sentence)" construction is used to join the last element in a list with more than three elements.
C: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "of a “theory of mind,”; the construction of this phrase incorrectly implies that the type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror comes within the domain of
one of many theories of the mind; the intended meaning is that the type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror comes within the domain of a
singular theory known as “theory of mind".
D: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase "of “theory of mind”, conveying the intended meaning - that the type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror comes within the domain of a
singular theory known as “theory of mind". Further, Option D uses the phrase "is best", conveying the intended meaning - that the type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror is
best studied as part of the field of animal cognition. Additionally, Option D correctly uses conjunction ("and thus" in this sentence) to join two elements in a list - the verb phrases "comes within the domain of “theory of mind" and "is best studied as part of the field of animal cognition"
E: This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "is best to be"; the use of the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + be" in this sentence) illogically implies that the type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror is best
for the purpose of being studied as part of the field of animal cognition; the intended meaning is that the type of behavior exhibited when an animal recognizes itself in a mirror is
best studied as part of the field of animal cognition; remember, the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + be" in this sentence) is the preferred construction for referring to the purpose/intent of the action.
Hence, D is the best answer choice.All the best!
Experts' Global Team
_________________